Judge wants to see treatment plan

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District Judge Tod Young asked Tuesday for a treatment plan for a woman with multiple DUI and drug arrests before he signs off on her request for a program designed to keep drunk drivers out of prison.

Young continued sentencing to Feb. 4 for Ann Syphus-Freed, 49, of Carson City. She is in Douglas County Jail.

The judge asked for an updated substance abuse evaluation to better determine the structure of her treatment program.

He advised the defendant that the program is a minimum of three years and involves six months of house arrest, followed up by weekly counseling sessions, meetings and regular court appearances.

He noted that Syphus-Freed had experienced a long period of sobriety since her incarceration in October, but “the opportunity to go back to them (alcohol, controlled substances) pulls at her heart.

“I am not overwhelmingly convinced your client is going to succeed,” Young said. “I would like to have a complete treatment plan set out.”

Syphus-Freed acknowledged that she was an alcoholic and an addict.

She told Young she was licensed in Carson City and by the state to operate a home health care business, and that’s how she would pay for treatment and the fees for DUI court.

She has two prior DUI convictions within three weeks of each other in 2011, and her most recent arrest of May 15, 2013.

■ A 34-year-old man was ordered to complete Western Nevada Regional Drug Court or face prison after he was sentenced for possession of methamphetamine.

District Judge Tod Young told Rafael Casarez if he violates probation, he faces up to four years in Nevada state prison.

Young listened to prosecutor Maria Pence’s explanation that Casarez was arrested in connection with an investigation into the distribution of drugs to schoolchildren, but said there wasn’t enough evidence to charge Casarez.

“The only reason officers were on the scene was because there was a person dealing drugs to minors as they got off a school bus. Casarez was at the scene at the time, he walked toward the kids and he had drugs,” she said.

She said Casarez had served time in prison for a prior drug felony.

Young stopped Casarez when the defendant said he “made a mistake.”

“This is not a mistake,” Young said. “This is something you did on purpose. It’s a felony. So, back yourself up and get that idea of a ‘mistake’ out of your mind.”

He placed Casarez on five years probation and ordered him to complete drug court.

He is forbidden to have alcohol or controlled substances, firearms or dangerous weapons.

“I don’t know or have enough information to sentence you for trying to sell drugs to children,” Young said. “If you get caught doing that and come before this department, you and I will not have a pleasant conversation,” Young said.

■ A 21-year-old Sacramento man pleaded guilty Tuesday to taking a motor vehicle, and agreed to be sentenced in absentia if he is incarcerated in California for an unrelated offense.

Sargis Razmikovch Hovsepyan faces up to one year in Douglas County Jail at his sentencing April 15.

According to the plea agreement, the sentence is to run concurrent to any California sentence for an allegation of battery causing substantial bodily harm.

That proceeding is set for trial in California on Feb. 20, but Hovsepyan’s attorney, Jamie Henry, said the trial may be continued.

Young questioned the wording of the plea agreement, asserting that Hovsepyan is innocent until proven guilty.

In the Douglas County case, he was arrested after a suspect was observed trying to break into vehicles in Harvey’s casino parking garage.

According to reports, he fled the scene in a stolen vehicle. Camping equipment and shoes valued at $850 were found in the vehicle, according to reports.